Wedding in Poland

Sarah and I left Leeds with the wedding couple and a group of their friends to East Midlands airport in the early hours of Thursday July 16 to begin our fantastic weekend away. I had only just met Renata and Glenn the wedding couple and their mates but over a few breakfast beers we got to know each other.
We flew into Wroclaw airport in Poland, drove for about two hours in a mini bus towards Pieszyce dumped our bags at the hotel and went to Renata's parents house for lunch. Renata's parents had prepared a feast for us and so we spent hours sitting around eating delicious food and drinking more beer. Polish love their meat and cakes and they love their beers. Renata's father showed us around his property. He spoke no English but with the help of Renata's sister he explained his property is worth a lot of money.
The following day we went on a guided tour through the city of Wroclaw checking out the sights including cathedral island, market square and the very impressive Racławice Panorama. The panorama is a 15 by 120 metre painting depicts the Battle of Raclawice, during the Koscioszko Uprising. We also ate lard (the rendered fat of a pig) sandwhiches with our lunch at an underground brewery.
The wedding was held on the Saturday afternon and none of us had any idea what to expect. It was held in a small Catholic church. The service was all in Polish except for the changing of the vows which was translated into English by Renatas sister. Renata is from Poland and she met Glenn from England while in Leeds.
The wedding was followed by a reception at the hotel we were staying at in the foothills of the mountains. This is were i really experienced the Polish hospitality. Our first meal was served just after we arrived and I ate a lot, not realising their were still another ten courses to be served. Renata and Glenn took part in a song and dance routine in front of everyone. A tradition which only occurs in the mountain areas of Poland. Then everybody let their hair down drank loads of vodka and danced the night away. I took part in many progressive dances all a part of the tradition. The vodka got the better of me and I had to retire before the last meal was served at 2am.
The following day the food was served again and so too were the beers. The Polish believe when you have a big night on the drink you need to have a few drinks the next day ease the effects of the hangover. Late in the afternoon we took a walk up the mountain in the rain to check out the views. The mountains were covered in forests and made for a beatiful setting.
In the two days of the wedding 53 people drank 46 bottles of wine, 45 litres of beer and 36 bottles of vodka.
Our final morning in Poland was spent walking through tunnels built during WWII under Hitlers orders but never completed due to the war ending. The horrific stories of the men who built it made me realise how lucky I am to be able to explore this great country so freely.
We flew back to the East Midlands airport UK and said goodbye to Glenns parents and brother before we making our way back to Leeds. There I said goodbbye to my new mates Johnny, Paul, Suzie, Deano, Rick, Chris and Sarah.